Packing extracting tool



y 9 19 F. c. DUGAN 2 207,661

PACKING EXTRACTING TOOL Filed March 17, 1959 Inventor flan/ C paganPatented July 9, 1940 PACKING EXTRACTING' 'rooL Frank 0. Dugan,Jefferson, Tex.

Application March 17, 1939, Serial No. 262,534

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to that classification of tools andimplements expressly designed and utilized for loosening and extractingfibrous, rubber and equivalent packing material from stuffing boxes.

As the preceding general statement of the invention implies, I am awarethat various forms and styles of implements have heretofore beenpatented, marketed and otherwise utilized to extract packing materialsfrom stuffing boxes.

- Manifestly, therefore, my primary aim is to generally improve uponknown devices of this classification by providing What is believed to bean improved and novel structure, this being comparativelysimple,economical, reliable, and susceptible of adequate use in places wherethe pack ing material is not readily accessible for easy dislodgment.

Stated more specifically, the preferred embodiment of the invention ischaracterized by a lever unit of semi-rigid form, this having associatedwith the packing extraction .end a flexible element arranged toappreciably augment the combined leverage of the device, as a unit, topromote more successful usage.

. Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent fromthe following description and accompanying illustrative drawmg.

In the drawing, wherein like numerals are employed to designate likeparts throughout the views,

Figure l is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the invention.1

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a slight modification inconstruction and Figure 3 is a view showing one use of the device.

Referring now to the drawing by distinguishing reference numerals, itwill be observed that the lever unit proper is-denoted by the numeral 3.This is formed from a flat bar of steel tapered from the upper towardthe lower end and of just suflicient resiliency to adapt it to theparticular purposes intended. That is to say, the steel is ofsuchtensile strength and elasticity as to flex laterally in the direction ofthe flat sides and to allow slight axial twisting. In prior devices withwhich I am familiar it seems cussimilar device usable as a temporaryhandle to expedite manipulating the lever. The relatively wide lower endportion is provided on one longitudinal edge with an outstandingapertured lug 5 which serves as an anchoring or attaching 5 eye for aflexible element employable in conjunction with a lever to fortify andmultiply the leverage'of the device as a whole. By having the structuresomewhat widened at the point 6, sufficient stability is provided.Beyond this point 6 the metal is shaped to provide a curvate extension Iwhich may be described as a hook, and this terminates in a lance-likepenetrating and extracting point 8. In Figure 1 the soing and thenextracting fibrous packing and equivalent material from a stuffing box.As tools for this same purpose'have been heretofore patented and arewell known in general, it is unnecessary to delve at length into theneed for the same and the precise method of use. It is sufficient topoint out that the spear-like hook or point is embedded in the packingandvthis is accomplished through the aid of the chain or flexibleelement which serves, at the time, to embed the hook and thereafter holdit against accidental slippage. The great flexibility of the chain andthe corresponding flexibility of the lever permits the two parts to bepositioned in proper relationship to: each other to obtain the desiredembedding and pulling and leverage producing action. In efiect we thushave a chain functioning as a lever and the main lever 3 functioning inan obvious manner, the two serving collectively to promote effective anddependable results. Hence, in a sense, we have a flexible main lever 3and an auxiliary companion and more highly flexible lever 9.

In Figure 3 of the drawing, one practical use of the device is shown.No. 14 designates a stuffing box through which runs rod l2. Superposedlayers of packing l3 are held in the stufiing box l4 and surround therod l2. To extract the packing I3 the hook I is worked partially intothe packing I3 then chain 9 is wrapped about the rod I2 and acts to holdthe lever 3 from slipping while thehook 1 is further rotated under thepacking l3 then the chain 9 is used to pull the hook I upwardly while'the lever 3 is held in the other hand to prevent it from turning andexiting through the same aperture it made when entering.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawingwill enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore,a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it is to be 0 understood that minor changes comingv withinthe field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim: a

A packing extracting tool comprising a longitudinally elongatedresilient lever, a curvate tapered hook integrally formed on the lowerend of said lever and extending laterally of said lever, a handle loopformed on the upper end of said lever, and a chain anchored at one endto said lever adjacent said. hook on the side of said lever directlyabove said hook, whereby flexing of said lever aids in embedding saidhook in said packing, and a pull on said chain aids in extracting saidpacldng.

FRANK C. DUGAN.

